KLDR - Local News

Authorities Jailed 2 Suspects for Attempting to Elude Deputy in City of Medford

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Medford Police Department arrested two suspects after they attempted to elude a deputy during a traffic stop late last week. On Thursday afternoon, a deputy observed a vehicle run a stop sign and nearly hit a bicyclist at the intersection of 10th and Fir streets in Medford. A deputy activated lights and sirens and the suspect vehicle eluded at slow speeds, running multiple stop signs with no traffic in the immediate area. The deputy got permission to perform a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver to disable the vehicle. But the PIT maneuver was unsuccessful and the vehicle continued to elude onto Barnett Road. Speeds increased to approximately 60 miles per hour. The suspect -- later identified as 32-year-old Whitney Ann Word -- ran a red light at the intersection of Barnett Road and Riverside Avenue, and nearly collided with a vehicle. A second PIT maneuver was successful and the Medford police officers arrived to help place the suspect into custody near Highland Drive. Word -- who is a well-known offender in Grants Pass and Josephine County -- was lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Felony Attempt to Elude Police, Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering. A passenger in the vehicle -- 51-year-old William Clifford Sanders, a Medford area transient -- interfered with the arrest and was also booked into jail. He was charged with Resisting Arrest and Interfering with a Police Officer.

Posted on 6/30/25 6:19AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested GP Man for Allegedly Roughing Up Grandmother West of City

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for allegedly roughing up his grandmother at a residence located west of Grants Pass late last week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the 600-block of Woodlawn Circle on Friday around 1:50 p.m.. Deputies said a neighbor called 9-1-1 when he heard 53-year-old Ronald Evan Flansburg, Jr., yelling at his grandmother that she was lucky that he just pushed her down. The caller said the 90-year-old woman lives with her grandson and he is constantly yelling at her. The neighbor requested a welfare check on the woman. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties and determined that Flansburg had pushed his grandmother to the ground. The elderly woman was not seriously hurt and did not require medical treatment, but her grandson was placed into custody. Flansburg was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Domestic Harassment and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/30/25 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

IVFD & ODF Crews Responded to Vegetation Fire along Highway 199 in Selma

The Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a vegetation fire along Redwood Highway in Selma late last week. On Friday at 10:45 a.m., IVFD and ODF crews were dispatched to the blaze on US Highway 199 at Lakeshore Drive. IVFD officials said the fire was successfully extinguished by passersby using fire extinguishers before the arrival of emergency services. There were no injuries and no spread into the surrounding wildland. Officials said an investigation determined the cause to be a catalytic converter from a passing vehicle.

Posted on 6/30/25 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

GPCC Workshop Features Funding Request, Forum Update and Panel Motion

The Grants Pass City Council's bi-weekly workshop will feature a funding request, a forum update and an advisory committee motion along with an executive session. The City Council will open the workshop with a funding request from Main Street Grants Pass, a community-driven initiative dedicated to preserving, enhancing and revitalizing the heart of the city. Next up is an update on the "What's the Climate Economic Development Forum" followed by a review of the agenda for Wednesday night's regular meeting. The Council will also hear a motion made by the Committee on Public Art. Following the workshop, Mayor Clint Scherf will convene a Special Meeting in Executive Session. The closed-door meeting includes consultation with legal counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body in current or likely litigation. Today's workshop begins at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

Posted on 6/30/25 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

CJ City Council Holding Morning Meeting to Approve Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

The Cave Junction City Council will hold a meeting this morning in order to approve its budget before the state-mandated deadline. The meeting will open with a public hearing on the use of State Revenue Sharing funds for the next fiscal year, with an opportunity for public testimony. The City Council will then consider budgetary resolutions including the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, Recertifying Reserve Funds, Josephine County Investment of Tax Funds and the Election to Receive State Revenue Sharing Funds. By Oregon Statute, all municipalities in the state must approve balanced budgets before July 1st, which is Tuesday. Today's meeting starts at 10 a.m. at Cave Junction City Hall, 222 Lister Street.

Posted on 6/30/25 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Residents and Businesses Affected by Flooding

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management has announced that the US Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Governor Tina Kotek's request for SBA Administrative Declarations following her declaration of a disaster from severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred in March and April. This declaration is available to Oregon businesses, homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations in the affected counties including Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lane. Home loans of up to $500,000 are available for real property and $100,000 for personal belongings. Business loans up to $2 million are available for physical damage. Loans are also available for economic losses up to $2 million. Application deadlines for the March 13th-20th flooding in Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lane counties is August 25th for physical damage and March 24, 2026, for economic injury. To apply for SBA Administrative Declarations, visit "lending.sba.gov." Physical locations to apply in-person will be announced soon. For more information, call toll-free to 1-(800)-659-2955. To learn more about SBA disaster assistance and eligibility, please visit "sba.gov/disaster."

Posted on 6/30/25 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police & Firefighters Logged Yet another Strong Effort in Community Protection

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters closed out the last full week of June with another strong effort in community protection. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 595 calls for service along with 197 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 38 arrests, 29 citations, 21 warnings and seven highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 51 traffic stops in the city and they made 15 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 21 potential troublemakers while arresting one person, citing six more and warning 14 others. The CRT unit also trespassed three individuals from city homes and businesses. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 80 calls last week including 41 for emergency medical service, four reports of fire or smoke, 16 lift assists, seven rescue situations, six assists to other agencies and 12 false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,122 emergency calls last week.

Posted on 6/30/25 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

GP Salvation Army Launching "Christmas in July" Fundraising Campaign at Bi-Mart

The Salvation Army in Grants Pass is launching a "Christmas in July" campaign next month at Bi-Mart, calling on the community to help respond to an urgent food shortage and rising emergency needs -- especially for children and families. Thanks to the generosity of Outlier Construction, Kelly's Automotive Services and an anonymous donor, every dollar given during the July 7th-12th campaign will be matched -- providing twice the meals, utility help and emergency services for local families. The campaign also invites the public to get involved by volunteering to ring the bell for a two-hour shift. Just a few shifts remain and signups are available at "RegisterToRing.com." In addition to donations and bell-ringing, sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and individuals who want to make a lasting difference in their community. Donate today at "grantspass.salvationarmy.org" and double the impact!

Posted on 6/30/25 6:09AM by Sam Marsh

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Moves into Stage 1 Public Use Restrictions

As the weather continues to trend toward warming and drying, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has moved into Stage 1 Public Use Restrictions across the local forest. Restrictions run from 12:01 a.m. today until November 30th. The Forest's fire danger rating has increased to "moderate" while the Industrial Fire Precaution Level remains at "1." Stage 1 Public Use Restrictions allow campfires in designated campgrounds only, propane fire pits outside of designated campgrounds, and for a portable lantern, stove or campfire that is fueled with gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuels and has a shut-off valve in a cleared area at least five feet away from any flammable material. Operating chainsaws for the collection of firewood is regulated by permit, but electric chainsaw use is exempt from this order and allowed all day with a required 30-minute fire watch. The Wild & Scenic Rogue River Stage 1 Restrictions apply both to those traveling down the river on a watercraft as well as to those hiking the Rogue River National Recreation Trail. The rules are designed to limit fire danger to the extent possible. Additional fire restrictions are expected to be put in place as fire season progresses. If you're planning to recreate or utilize equipment on public lands this summer, please keep current regarding fire safety notifications and regulations in southwest Oregon.

Posted on 6/27/25 11:56AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man on Outstanding Warrants after Catching HIm with Stolen Car

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man on four outstanding warrants yesterday after he was caught driving a stolen vehicle just east of Grants Pass. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 36-year-old Brian William Domin, Jr., on Thursday at 3:34 p.m. following a traffic stop near the intersection of West Jones Creek Road and Foothill Boulevard. Deputies said they stopped Domin because he was driving a vehicle that had been reported stolen by the Eugene Police Department. The suspect told deputies he had permission to use the vehicle by the owner until next week. However, the owner of the vehicle told the suspect that if he did not give the car back immediately, he would report it stolen -- which he did. Further investigation revealed that Domin was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation stemming from an assault conviction, a Wasco County warrant for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and two Josephine County warrants for failing to appear in court for 4th-Degree Assault and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was placed into custody and two passengers were released. Domin was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants and was being held on a no-bail detainer. The registered owner made arrangements to drive down from Eugene and retrieve his vehicle.

Posted on 6/27/25 11:55AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Starting Multiple Person Fight at 5th Street Rest Site

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for starting a fight at and near a downtown resting site yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a disturbance involving multiple people at the NW 5th Street homeless encampment on Thursday around 4:15 p.m.. Police said numerous callers reported the incident involving 31-year-old Shane Codyglen Weidman. The callers advised several individuals were in the middle of the street engaged in a physical altercation. Many of them dispersed upon the arrival of law enforcement. An investigation determined that Weidman was the aggressor in the incident. He was causing issues inside the resting site and engaged in violent and threatening behavior by swinging a closed fist at a another man while hitting him in the chin. Weidman was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/27/25 11:53AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Cutting Down and Stealing Flags from Courthouse

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for cutting down and stealing the United States and State of Oregon flags at the Josephine County Courthouse early today. The Police Department reports officers tracked down and arrested 48-year-old James Matthew Brockmann at the NE 7th Street resting site at 5:35 this morning. Police said Brockmann was observed as he cut down the US and Oregon flags in front of the Courthouse around 4 a.m.. The suspect then took part of the rope and both flags without having any right to do so. He was seen folding up the flags and putting them in a cart behind his bicycle before he rode away. Officers searched the area until they received a tip that Brockmann had entered the homeless campground near GPPD headquarters. Upon contact, he confessed to the incident and his bicycle, the cart and the flags were located at 110 NE A Street. Brockmann was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. The stolen flags were returned to the Courthouse today by dayshift officers.

Posted on 6/27/25 11:52AM by Sam Marsh